Raynors HCA 2015-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2015
A good war-date Union officer's letter, 3pp. folio, written by Captain Augustus Alonzo Hoit, Co. G, 8th Maine Vols. (later captain 34th USCT), Tybee Island, S. C., May 15, 1862 concerning the death of Germain Metternich. Germain Metternich (1811-1862) was born to a Jacobin father, he became an ardent German Revolutionary and human rights activist who was expelled from his native Germany and then Switzerland in 1850. Coming to the United States he became highly active member of the Forty-Eighters. He was friends with Louis Blenker, Franz Sigel and Carl Schurz and when the Civil War broke out became a field officer in the 46th New York (Fremont Regiment) only to be accidentally stabbed in the throat and killed by a drunken soldier on Tybee Island on May 13, 1862. A rare account of his sad death reads, in small part: "…the rebels are getting rather "down in the mouth." We have been lately witness to the evil effects of ardent spirits. We are encamped by the side of the N. Y. 46 Reg. It is a German Reg. and the sale of intoxicating drink is carried to a great extent…making a vast amount of trouble for themselves and us…last Monday we were joined by part of the Mass. 28th Reg. Irish. On Tuesday morning a large number of the 28th paid a visit to the 46th…they soon became intoxicated and disorderly. They were ordered by the Lieut. Col. [Germain Metternich] of the 46th to leave the ground and return to their own camp. They refused…he then called the police guard to drive them away…[there] was a row during which the Lieut. Col. was run through the neck by a bayonet which caused his death…we buried him yesterday with military honors. Each officers was presented with a bayonet to be thrown into the grave as we passed in procession…the Lieut. Col. was German and left his country on account of political troubles in the year 1848…he [was] married in Germany…his wife…joined him in N. York…she is with the Reg. and has not a relative in America, but she has secured many friends in N. Y. So much for Whiskey…yours in love, Alonzo…". Minor toning, else VG
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